Month: September 2014

Disablism is a relevantly new term that describes a number of deliberate or unconscious actions by individuals or organisations towards disabled people including outright discrimination, less favourable treatment, 'hateful' actions like verbal or physical abuse, and the one I experience the most, the undermining of someone's intelligence or ability to contribute to society including patronising … Continue reading Disablism Amongst Disabled People

Throughout my adulthood I have needed to deal with many organisations, governmental or otherwise, on various issues and because of my impairment and my risk taking enterprising nature, my life has been complex to say the least since I do not fit into any of their neat square boxes. Having to make complaints is second … Continue reading Why Do ‘They’ Email Difficult News on Friday Afternoons?

It is absolutely obvious that most disabled activists are unhappy with this coalition government, and many dislike and even hate Iain Duncan Smith (IDS) with a passion. This government, particularly in terms of welfare reforms, has made many major and undisputable mistakes however you wish to look at it or what you think on the … Continue reading Labour Is Not Going to Deliver on Disability

I wanted to clarify my stance on Human Rights after a recent discussion on the apparent UN Investigation into yet to be confirmed accusations of possible breaches of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.OK, I have been involved with the Council of Europe Youth Directorate since the 1990s, and its Human Rights … Continue reading My stance of Human Rights and the UN Investigation

Over the last decade or so, there has been a growing tension within the 'disability community' between those who define themselves as having hidden impairments, and those with visible impairments. People with hidden impairments are often frustrated at the lack of awareness people around them have for how they are feeling, and therefore they can … Continue reading There Is Always a Hidden Side to Impairment